Klose-ing in on the perfect fit

Like many students, Keara Klose '14 came to Bloomsburg University intending to declare a major she thought would provide the most secure future.

However, she was on campus less than a week when she realized occupational therapy might be secure, but security wasn't worth her

happiness. Her love had always been English literature, and as she met her professors and got involved with the writing center, work-study, and the BU student newspaper, she found the resolve to do what she had wanted from the beginning. At the end of her sophomore year, Klose declared an English major and was buoyed by advice and guidance from Dr. Riley and Dr. Roggenbuck in the English department.

"I had wanted to declare an English major as a freshman, but was scared because people always told me that I wouldn't get a job,” explained Klose. Therapy seemed more practical. But English was where I was supposed to be.” 

Through her career experiences and student organizations, Klose grew more confident in the viability of the transferrable skills that an English degree provided. After graduation, Klose landed a content marketing specialist position with Construction Specialties. She did not have a marketing degree, but her skillset aligned perfectly, and her portfolio and copywriting proved it.

"They were like 'Wow, you can write," said Klose. "I said, 'Yes, I was an English major. I can absolutely do this job'.

"People don't realize what a good school [Bloom] is and the opportunities it can afford you. You have the writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills from your liberal arts degree that apply to jobs you wouldn't think of at first."

After spending two years with Construction Specialties and another two with SEKISUI KYDEX as a communications coordinator and corporate storyteller, Klose took a position with Cornell Cookson as a content marketing strategist. And while she loves the content creation part of her job, she has also felt a calling to help others with their ability to tell a story. After tutoring part-time for several years, Klose recently earned her MA in Professional Writing in the hopes of securing an adjunct faculty position at a local community college.

"I feel that my niche lies in helping people write, not just in writing myself,” Klose explained. “People get so wrapped up in how they think writing is supposed to be, like it’s this stuffy and overly formal thing. I strive to help people with their writing and ultimately, take away the fear surrounding it. Writing is not that scary, and can actually even be enjoyable! You don’t have to sound like a robot to write well.”

Klose got the call she was hoping for from a local community college campus. And even though it was a tough juggle between both jobs, Klose has every intention of returning for a second semester.

All of this experience has allowed Klose to help inspire (and sometimes calm) fellow Huskies, especially those discouraged from declaring a major in the liberal arts because of a perceived lack of opportunity. She has been an alumni panelist and speaker on multiple occasions, including at the Career Intensive Boot Camp and the Careers in Arts, Social Sciences, and History Conference (CASSHCON).

"I've had a lot of fun moments,” recalled Klose “I get messages from students thanking me for encouraging them and speaking about being a full human instead of just working at your career 24/7. I tell them to work hard, but also make time for rest and self-care. Your mental health matters more than any job. I also like to remind them not to dim their true passions."

Klose says It's been nice to return to campus and soak in the nostalgia, but it helps satisfy the teacher in her when she counsels students on using the transferrable skills they may not even know they have – and how to convince an employer they do.

"People tend to think they’re pigeonholed into specific jobs or fields once they’ve had a role dedicated to something. The thrill of it is that your career may not always be what you had planned on, but you can create even better, more fulfilling opportunities," said Klose. "Your dream job is probably not going to be one role, and it'll evolve. I never thought I'd work in the marketing and manufacturing field.”
Klose continues to teach even as she herself is learning.

"You think you're going to graduate and then be done," recalled Klose. "It's a journey, and it's ok if you don't get 'the one' right away. It's ok if the role you are in isn't one that you're planning on being in the rest of your life. You can pick and choose."

She closes with one more piece of advice: “Your plan that’s set in stone may crumble, but you can use those pieces to build another path – one that’s even better and brighter.”

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